WOODHILL DEMONSTRATION ON 28TH NOV 2004 ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS !!

The Ahmad family would like to say a big thank you to all those people who not only helped organise the demonstration at Woodhill Prison on 28th November 2004, but also those people who turned up in solidarity to support Babar's campaign. All those supporters battled the weather so their voices could be heard. Their message was clear to everyone that they were not going to give up the fight for justice!

"Without a doubt the demonstration held yesterday was a resounding success for all accounts and has sent clear messages to those who think they can take away our rights and get away with it, that the fight is not over. Some 200-300 people gathered at 12.30, battling the cold rainy conditions to stand in solidarity against the crimes of Blunkett, Blair and Bush- the real 'axis' of evil. Supporters came from all over the country including London, Birmingham and Luton. Even the BNP turned up to rally us on, by letting us know that we are making waves and hitting the right buttons. They were then unduely told to go away once the police were called in." (Message by Director of Stop Political Terror, 29/11/04)

Speakers included:
Dr Adnan Siddiqui (Stop Political Terror)
Ashfaq Ahmed (Father of Babar Ahmed)
Saghir Hussein (Criminal law Solicitor)
Alan Francis (Milton Keynes Green Party)
Natalia Garcia (Solicitor to Woodhill & Belmarsh detainee's)
Doug Jewell (Campaigns Coordinator of Liberty)
Dr G Siddiqui (Leader of the Muslim Parliament)
Sait Akgul, Respect, and Kurdish activist
Saleh Mamon Representative of CAMPACC
Sadiq Khan (Prospective parliamentary Labour candidate for Tooting, London)
Jane Carr (Prospective parliamentary Lib dem candidate for MK North East constituency)

LETTER FROM BABAR AHMAD THANKING DEMONSTRATORS AFTER THE WOODHILL DEMO (28/11/04)

Dear Brothers, Sisters, Campaigners and Well-wishers,

We would like to thank you for your efforts in organizing and attending today's gathering. We very much appreciate all the efforts that you have all made and thank you for all your letters of support. We commend the efforts of Stop Political Terror, Stop the War Coalition, CAMPACC, Respect and Socialist Worker Party. Whilst we are grateful that your attendance today is a gesture of solidarity, it is important to understand that Belmarsh and Woodhill Prisons are the weakest link in an otherwise unjust system. The root of the problem is not Belmarsh or Woodhill Prison but those who make the decisions to intern people there.

As regards myself, I have, to date, received over a thousand letters of support from Muslims, non-Muslims, men, women and children. The worrying theme in most of them is that people can't believe that this is happening in 20th century Britain. If a British child who attends a state primary school is asking questions like "Why are they always attacking Muslims? Why do they hate us?" Then what is he going to ask in 10-15 years time? So much for integration of religious communities! Had I been the son of a former British Prime Minister, I would be entitled to the same Governmental and media support that Sir Mark Thatcher is getting. But since I am not, I am only asking for the same rights as paedophiles, rapists and murderers. <br>

Extremely serious allegations have been made against me, so if the government is confident in its so-called ‘evidence', why do they not give me a British Judge and Jury like the other beasts and monsters get? If that is not possible, then please give me animal rights. Before a lamb is exported for slaughter, even then there are safeguards and processes to ensure that the wrong lamb is not sent abroad. This is the reality of today's Britain. I have been assaulted, tortured, defamed and held hostage by the country, which my father served for over 20 years. If this is how they treat British Citizens, then how do you treat foreigners? The reality there is that they hold them without charge indefinitely while their families live in hope that one day their loved ones will return home to them.

Thank you all once again for coming and attending this demonstration, it is people like you that this country should be proud of.

From

Babar Ahmad, British Political Prisoner
MX5383,
HMP Woodhill,
Tattenhoe Street,
Milton Keynes,
Bucks MK4 4DA